Handle and switch



NOV. 12, 1929. w, w L 1,735,556

HANDLE AND SWITCH Feb v Patented Nov. 12, 1929 EDWARD W. WIEHLE; \OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BIB/THAN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, AGORPOBATIQN OF ILLINOIS HANDLE AN D SWITCH Application filed February 1,1928 Serial No. 251,174.

This invention relates to improvements in handle and switch, and moreespecially to such a handle and switch for electrically operatedappliances.

In connection with many electrically operated appliances, for example,portable vacuum cleaners of the type now in common use, it is necessaryor desirable to use a tubular metal handle. Such a handle is neat inappearance, strong and durable, and furnishes a housing or conduit forthe electric wires leading from the. switch to the motor of theappliance.

For the purpose of illustrating my inven-' tion, I have shown myimproved handle and switch as applied to a vacuum cleaner.

. are in place.

in rear elevation of a part of the handleshowing the switch, Fig. 3 is avertical sectional view, Fig. 4 is a view taken as indicated by the line4 of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the switch beingdisassembled from the handle, Fig. 6 is a view in rear elevation of theupper end of the handle showing the switch and associated parts removedtherefrom, Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a modified form,and Fig. 8 is a view of the switch showing the operating lever threadedthereinto.

As\shown in the drawings, 10 indicates an electrically operated vacuumcleaner of a well-known type. 11 indicates a metallic tubular handletherefor.

Hereafter, in describing the invention I shall assume that the handle 11is in a substantially vertical position as shown in Fig. 1. As shown inFig. 6 the rear side of the handle 11 is provided with a slot narrow atthe top as indicated by 12, said slot being widened at the bottom asindicated by 12*. The lower end of the portion 12 is provided with asmall notch 12*. 13 indicates a screw hole just above the upper end ofthe narrow slot 12. The lower end of the slot 12 is also slightlywidened as indicated by 12 to accommodate a screw.

14 indicates an electric switch mounted in a rectangular shaped block orhousing. This switch may be of any well-known construction, preferablyof the tumbler type. The details of the switch itself as indicated by 14forms no part of the invention and need not,

be described here. 14 indicates the customary trigger or tumbler leveron a-switch of this kind. Hereafter I may refer to the switch itself asthe switch block 14.

15 indicates the wires coming from the source of power, one of saidwires as indicated by 15 leading to the switch in the usual manner. 16indicates the wires leading to the motor of the vacuum cleaner whichvare housed in the tube 11. One of these wires as indicated by 16 comesfrom the switch 14 in the usual manner. Y

The widened portion of the slot in the rear of the handle as indicatedby 12 is wide enough so that the switch block 14 withthe 1 wiresconnected thereto may be movedin or out through said opening as shown inFig. 5. This permits very quick and easy assembly and dis'assembly.

17 indicates a substantially rectangular cover plate curved to conformto curvature of the handle and of sufficient size to cover the wideportion 12 of the opening. The lower end of this plate is provided withan inwardly extending lug 17 having projecting ears 17 The lug'17 isadapted to fit in the notch 12 and the'ears 17 look. under the sides ofthis notch to hold the lower end of the plate against the handlewhen'the parts are assembled.

- The switch block 14 is provided with two screw holes 14 and 14. Theupper end of the plate 17 is provided with a screw hole 17.

When the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 3, the plate 17 has thelug17 hooked in the notch 12 and its upper end is secured by means of ascrew 18 passing through the hole 17 in the plate and thence screwedinto the hole 14 in the switch block 14. This screw passes through thewidened portion 12 near the bottom end of the narrow slot 12. The

upper end of-the switch block'14 is secured by a screw 19 passingthrough the screw hole 13 in the handle and inserted in the screw hole14 in the switch block 14. When assembled,

' the switch block 14 lies substantially under the narrow slot 12 andthe operating lever or trigger 14 is adapted to move in the slot 12.

The plate 17 is provided with a substan- V tiallycentrally arranged hole17 for the wires 15 and there is preferably mounted over this hole acurved hood or guard plate 20 with a flexible spring wire guard 2l-toprotect the wires 15.

In assembling the parts, the connections may be made to the switch block14 while it is outside the handle. It is then inserted through theopening 12 as shown in Fig. 5 and slipped upwardly until it lies underthe narrow slot 12 with the trigger 14 projecting therethrough. Thecover plate 17 is then placed over the opening 12 and the lug 17 withthe projections 17 hooked into the notch 12 The screws 18 and 19 arethen put into place thus holding all the parts securely.

In the form shown in Fig. 7, instead of hav ing a single opening withwide and narrow portions, I provide two separate openings, namely, therelatively wide opening 112 and the relatively narrow opening 112adjacent thereto. In using a device of this character, the switchpreferably has the operating handle 14 threaded into the part 14 asshown in Fig. 8, the end of the lever 14 being provided with a threadedend 14 In assembling a switch of this kind, the handle 14 is removed,the'switch inserted through the opening 112*, and then moved to aposition beneath the opening 112. The handle 14 is then inserted throughthis opening and threaded into the switch. Obviously, if the diameter ofthe tube 11 is large enough, or the switch handle short enough, thehandle does not need to be removed from theswitch in be inserted throughthe large opening and the handle pushed up through the small opening.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes,therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed in theappended claims, in which it is my intention to claimall novelty in myinvention as broadly as possible in view of the prior art.

What I claim is new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A one piece tubular handle having a relatively wide opening thereinremote from the ends and a relatively narrow opening adjacent thereto;and a switch with a projecting operating part, said switch adapted to beinserted into said tubular handle through said wide opening and movedlongitudinally inside of said handle to a permanent position beneathsaid narrow opening with its operating part extending "through saidnarrow opening.

2. A one piece tubular handle having a relatively wide opening thereinremote from the ends and a relatively narrow opening adjacent thereto; aswitch with a projecting operating part, said switch adapted to beinserted into said tubular handle through said wide opening and movedlongitudinally inside of operating part, said switch adapted to beinserted into said tubular handle through said wide opening and movedlongitudinally inside of said handle to a permanent position beneathsaid narrow opening with its operating part extending. through saidnarrow opening, a cover-plate adapted to be placed in a permanentposition over the wide opening after the switch is in a permanentposition beneath the narrow opening; and means for holding said switchand cover-plate in per-- manent position.

4. A one piece'tubular handle having a relatively wide opening thereinremote fromthe ends and a relatively narrow opening adjacent thereto; aswitch with a projecting operating part, said switch adapted to beinserted into said tubular handle through said wide opening. and movedlongitudinally inside of said handle to a'permanent position beneathsaid narrow opening with its operat- 7 ing part extending through saidnarrow openiob ing, a cover-plate adapted to be placed in a permanentposition over the Wide opening after the switch is in a permanentposition beneath the narrow opening; and means for holding said switchand cover-plate in permanent position, said means including a part onthe cover-plate adapted to be inserted under the edge of the wideopening.

5. A one piece tubular handle having a relatively wide opening thereinremote from the ends and a relatively narrow opening adjacent thereto; aswitch with a projecting operating part, said switch adapted to beinserted into said tubular handle through said wide opening and movedlongitudinally inside of said handle to a permanentposition beneath saidnarrow opening with its operating part extending through said narrowopening, a cover-plate adapted to be placed in a permanent position overthe wide opening after the switch is in a permanent position beneath thenarrow opening; means for holding said switch and cover-plate inpermanent position, said means including a part on the cover-plateadapted to be inserted under the edge of the wide opening; and a screwpassing through the upper end of said cover-plate and threaded into saidswitch.

6. A one piece tubular handle having a relatively wide opening thereinremote from the ends and a relatively narrow opening adjacent thereto; aswitch with a projecting operatingpart, said switch adapted to beinserted into said tubular handle through said wide opening and movedlongitudinallyinside of said handle to a permanent position beneath saidnarrow opening with its operating part extending through said narrowopening, a cover-plate adapted to be placed in. a permanent positionover the wide opening after the switch is in a permanent positionbeneath the narrow opening; means for holding said switch andcover-plate in permanent position, said means including a part on thecover-plate adapted to be inserted under the edge of the wide opening; ascrew passing through the upper end of said cover-plate and threadedinto said switch, and another screw passing through the tubular handleand threaded into the switch.

7. A one piece tubular handle having an opening therein remote from theends with relatively wide and narrow portions; and a switch with aprojecting operating part, said switch adapted to be inserted into saidtubular handle through the wide portion of said opening and movedlongitudinally inslde of said handle to a permanent position beneath thenarrow portion of said opening with its operating part extending throughsaid narrow portion of said opening.

8. A one piece tubular handle having an opening therein remote from theends with relatively wide and narrow portions a switch with a projectingoperating part, said switch adapted to be inserted into said tubularhandle through the wide portion of said opening and moved longitudinallyinside of said handle to a permanent position beneath the narrow portionof said opening with its operating part extending through said narrowportion of said opening; and a cover plate adapted to be placed inpermanent position over the wide portion of said opening after theswitch is in permanent positionbeneath the narrow portion of saidopening.

9. A one piece tubular handle having an opening therein remote from theends with relatively wide and narrowportions; a switch with a projectingoperating part, said switch adapted to be inserted into said tubularhandle through the wide portion of said opening and moved longitudinallyinside of said handle to a permanent position beneath the narrow portionof said opening with its operating part extending through said narrowportion of said opening; a cover plate adapted to be placed in permanentposition over the wide portion of said opening after the switch is inpermanent position beneath the narrow portion of said opening; and meansfor holding said switch and cover plate in permanent position. I

10. A one piece tubular handle having an opening therein remote from theends with relatively wide and narrow portions; a switch with aprojecting operating part, said switch adapted to be inserted into saidtubular handle through the wide portion of said opening and movedlongitudinally inside of said handle to a permanent position beneath thenarrow portion of said opening with its operating part extending throughsaid narrow portion of said opening, a cover plate adapted to be placedin permanent position over the wide portion of said opening after theswitch is in permanent position beneath the narrow portion of saidopening; and means for holding said switch andcover plate in permanentposition, said means including a part on the cover plate adapted to beinserted under the edge of thewide portion of said opening.

' 11. A one piece tubular handle having an opening therein remote fromthe ends with relatively wide and narrow portions; 2. switch with aprojecting operating part, said switch adapted to be inserted into saidtubular han dle through the wide portion of. said opening and movedlongitudinally inside of said handle to a permanent position beneath thenarrow portion of said opening with its operating part extending throughsaid narrow portion of said opening, a cover plate adapted to be. placedin permanent position over the wide portion of said opening after theswitch is in permanent position beneath the narrow portion of saidopening; and means for holding said switch and cover plate in permanentposition, said means including a part on the lower end of the coverplate adapted tobe inserted under the edge of the wide portion saidopening, and a. screw passing through the upper end of said cover plateand threaded into said switch. I

12. A one piece tubular handle having an opening therein remote from theends with relatively wide and narrow portions; a switch with aprojecting operating part, said switch adapted to be inserted into saidtubular handle through the wide portion of said opening and movedlongitudinally inside of said handle to a permanent position beneath thenarrow portion'ofsaid opening with its operating part extending throughsaid narrow portion of said opening, acover plate adapted to be placedin permanent position over the Wide portion of said opening after theswitch is in permanent position beneath the narrow portion of saidopening; and means for holding said switch and cover plate in permanentposition, said means including-a part on the lower end of the coverplate adapted to be inserted under the edge of the wide portion of saidopening, a screw passing through the upper end of the cover plate andthreaded into the switch, and another screw passing through'the tubularhandle and threaded into the switch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal,this 27th day of January, 1928.

v EDWARD W. WIEHLE.

